Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Glastonbury Somerset
I am thinking of getting an electric bike for getting to work any ideas of which one would be the best
Electric bikes
- Thread starter Iainj837
- Start date
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The Motor Industry Research Association spent a lot of money testing, building and destroying many electric bikes.
Their conclusions were:-
1/ Battery packs, either NiMh or Li-Ion do not have the capacity to be viable for distances over 40 miles.
2/ Riders get laughed at by pedal cyclists. - This was from the bitter experience of MIRA engineers, and this simple reason would deter people purchasing an electric bike.
3/ The cost of replacing the battery pack on an annual basis, Li-Ion in particular, was far greater than the maintenance cost of a conventional bicycle.
As a cyclist, and working at MIRA, I was asked if I would 'test' the bikes to commute 17 miles each way. I declined, and the response was "I'm not surprised, we can't find anyone who will ride the things".
The only electric bike I would consider riding is a Yamaha Derney I saw in a magazine once, but I can't find it on the internet. Maybe the project was scrapped.
Their conclusions were:-
1/ Battery packs, either NiMh or Li-Ion do not have the capacity to be viable for distances over 40 miles.
2/ Riders get laughed at by pedal cyclists. - This was from the bitter experience of MIRA engineers, and this simple reason would deter people purchasing an electric bike.
3/ The cost of replacing the battery pack on an annual basis, Li-Ion in particular, was far greater than the maintenance cost of a conventional bicycle.
As a cyclist, and working at MIRA, I was asked if I would 'test' the bikes to commute 17 miles each way. I declined, and the response was "I'm not surprised, we can't find anyone who will ride the things".
The only electric bike I would consider riding is a Yamaha Derney I saw in a magazine once, but I can't find it on the internet. Maybe the project was scrapped.
col
Legendary Member
Try this link,decoherance posted it some time ago,i like the look of these myself.
http://www.50cycles.com/
http://www.50cycles.com/
I have an Izip Mountain trailz AL. I find that few people notice the motor, and the odd ones who do don't seem to care that much.
I chose it because it does look like a regular mountain bike, (though in the pictures they never show the motor on the other side of the bike) as well as being the ok looking cheap one I found. Get one that looks very much like a normal bike, and I'm sure you won't have the problems Jimboalee describes.
Having said that,. when riding it I do occassioanly get frowns from fully kitted out cyclist on road bike,s but then I do on my flatbar road bike as well, and wonder whether it's simply that I'm not kitted out in the same way. My conclusion is that *some* road bikers are simply arrogant, and it doesn't bother me.
fwiw, my colleagues were interested and mildly amused at first, but generally seem to admire me for riding in now I've stuck at it, whichever bike I use. I now use my roadbike mostly, as I've remembered how much I like cycling, and have got a lot fitter. I used it two weeks ago though, and arrived at work without breaking a sweat (8.5 miles and lots of hills). I'm torn between keeping it for the occassional ride, or selling it - deterred mainly by the Cycle To Work payments not yet having finished!
Cheers
Steve
I chose it because it does look like a regular mountain bike, (though in the pictures they never show the motor on the other side of the bike) as well as being the ok looking cheap one I found. Get one that looks very much like a normal bike, and I'm sure you won't have the problems Jimboalee describes.
Having said that,. when riding it I do occassioanly get frowns from fully kitted out cyclist on road bike,s but then I do on my flatbar road bike as well, and wonder whether it's simply that I'm not kitted out in the same way. My conclusion is that *some* road bikers are simply arrogant, and it doesn't bother me.
fwiw, my colleagues were interested and mildly amused at first, but generally seem to admire me for riding in now I've stuck at it, whichever bike I use. I now use my roadbike mostly, as I've remembered how much I like cycling, and have got a lot fitter. I used it two weeks ago though, and arrived at work without breaking a sweat (8.5 miles and lots of hills). I'm torn between keeping it for the occassional ride, or selling it - deterred mainly by the Cycle To Work payments not yet having finished!
Cheers
Steve
Lazy-Commuter
New Member
- Location
- Bottom Right Corner
.. some people just are. I suppose it's that "them and us" mentality, be it "bikes vs cars", "cars vs bikes", "cars vs lorries", "upright vs recumbent", "road vs hybrid" or whatever.upandover said:
Me, I say "hi" to everyone I meet when out and about walking and riding, be they on foot, on a bike (whatever kind), whatever.
Not cars, though. 'Cos they never reply.
Lazy-Commuter
New Member
- Location
- Bottom Right Corner
I know, sorry .. I came over as a bit correctional and overly PC there didn't I??upandover said:I agree - I didn't mean anything other than that,
Steve
Still, wouldn't it be nice if everyone were nice.
byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
AtoB magazine are into electric bikes and have some details on their website.
gkilner
New Member
- Location
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
Raleigh Man said:
Hello, there is a very good forum specifically for Electric bikes. My previous bike was electric - very good fun and great for hills.
PM me if you want the link - hope the moderators don't mind?
PrettyboyTim
New Member
- Location
- Brighton
I'm sure nobody here would mind you linking to another forum!
